Senate House

The Senate House is the administrative centre of the University of Madras in Chennai, India. It is situated in Wallajah Road, along Marina Beach. Constructed by Robert Chisholm between 1874 and 1879,[1] the Senate building is considered to be one of the best and oldest examples of IndoSaracenic architecture in India.[2]

Contents

1 History 2 Architecture 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References

History

Robert Chisholm was a 19th-century British architect who is considered to be one of the pioneers of Indo-Saracenic architecture.[3][4] Initially designing buildings using the Renaissance and Gothic styles of architecture,[5] Chisholm switched over to Indo-Saracenic with the construction of the PWD buildings of the Chepauk Palace in 1871.[6][7]

In 1864, the Madras government gave an advertisement inviting designs for the Senate House building.[8] Chisholm's design was eventually approved and the building was constructed between April 1874 and 1879.[8][9][10] A saluting battery was present at the site prior to the construction of the Senate House.[11] Prior to the construction of the Senate House, university convocations were held at Banqueting Hall (now Rajaji Hall).[12] During July 14-December 21, 1937 the legislature of the Madras Presidency met at the senate house.[13]

Senate House, Madras - Tucks Oileete (1911)[14]

Senate House Every city has its heritage corners and University of Madras’s Senate House is definitely one. With so many old buildings being brought down to make way for new high rises, there are very few old ones left to remind us of the bygone raj era.

University of Madras also popularly known, as ‘Madras University’ came into existence on Sep 5, 1857 and is one of the three oldest universities in India. Situated near the popular Marina beach, this collegiate university has six campuses and more than 50 departments.

Robert Fellowes Chisholm, a well-known British architect, built the Senate House of University of Madras between 1874 and 1879. Built in the IndoSaracenic style of architecture, the Senate House is touted to be the finest examples of this style in India.

While most buildings were following gothic and renaissance style of building, the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture was a quite modern venture for that era. Incorporating many elements of Byzantine architecture, Robert Chisholm was an extraordinary architect of his age. Named as ‘The wonder of Chennai’ the Senate House has a huge central hall with corridors and six colossus pillars on either side. With over six porches, flanking the side of the building, the roof was built with brick and lime mortar.

Senate House also boasts of a beautiful convocation hall that has hosted innumerable functions and convocations, ushering many young minds into the society to enrich and nourish. And for many years, it housed the office of Vice Chancellor, Registrar and many important Departments of Study and Research.

The Senate House also has an historical significance as the first elected Madras Legislative was formally convened here in 1937. And Madras Music Academy, an institution for Indian classical music, used this building as their venue during the early days of classical concert.

Sadly as with any other historical building, age has become a factor for this heritage monument. Today the University does not convene here to graduate young students nor do classical music concerts take place here. Yet no building can match the expansive old world charm that this building brings to the city. With efforts on to rescue this heritage building from ruin and disrepair, many philanthropists and art lovers are pitching in preserve that graceful monument.

Side view of the Senate House, University of Madras

Architecture Senate House Location:

University of Madras Campus

Built In:

1873

Designed By:

Robert Fellowes Chisholm

Senate HouseIt is one of the finest monuments in Chennai and a living example which shows the remarkable architectural skills of the famous architect of 19th century, Robert Fellowes Chisholm. The wonder of Chennai, the Senate house, located on the Madras University Campus, near Marina is a landmark in Chennai. The structure is a live example of the Indo-Saracenic style with a harmonious blend of Byzantine architectural features.

The Senate house has a central hall with corridors on the ground floor. The corridors stand on six massive pillars standing on either side. Also the four sky touching towers standing at each of the corners of the building gives it a dazzling look. The six porches, two on the eastern and western sides of the building and one each on the northern and southern side of the building further lend the structure a vintage look. There also are three segmental arch openings in each porch in the east, west and south of the porch. The roof is made of brick shell with lime mortar.

The senate house has a convocation hall, beautiful porticos, a parapet that

surrounds these porticos, halls for meetings, a library etc. It had offices of the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar and the university departments of study and research earlier. The site has been ruled for almost 125 years by the senate house and it has been the venue of many functions and convocations were held in the central hall till 1965; later the venue was shifted to Centenary Convocation Auditorium. It was used for meetings of the senate, syndicate and academic departments of the university. The venue was a convention centre too, in the past, when there were not many modern facilities available. It also housed administrative offices of the University. The meetings of the senate, academic council and of the faculties were held in some of the smaller halls.

The halls were used as a meeting place of first elected Madras Legislative when it was convened in 1937. The Senate House was also the venue for Madras Music Academy in the first years of that institution. Though, the use of Senate house was limited to holding of the convocations and examinations, after the construction of new departmental library building and later on the centenary building, besides being used as classrooms for teaching foreign languages. After the constructions of the massive centenary auditorium in 1960 the convocations were held there after 1965.

Sadly, with as time passed by, this proud structure lost its old world charm for which it was, and still is popular. However, efforts have been made to restore its charm with help of renovation and in order to avoid any tampering with its original structure, the university is making earnest efforts. It has researched into the matter and has appealed to alumni, lovers of art, philanthropists, the public and private organizations to come forward to preserve the grand Senate House.